Elliptical exercising device

ABSTRACT

An elliptical exercising device includes a rotating unit mounted on a support frame, and two link rods connected to the rotating unit such that intermediate segments of the link rods are moved reciprocatively in an elliptical path. A foot support is tiltably mounted on the intermediate segment. A suspending rail is moved with the foot support to be subjected to a gradually varying urging force resulting from movement of the intermediate segment and to be continuously urged to angularly move. A rail engaging rider slidably contacts the suspending rail to be urged by the urging force to angularly move upwards or downwards. An urging force counteracting mechanism is mounted pivotally on the support frame, and is coupled with the rail engaging rider so as to impart a force to counteract an x-axis force component of the urging force to thereby keep the suspending rail in a horizontal position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 096215161, filed on Sep. 10, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an elliptical exercising device, more particularly to an elliptical exercising device for simulating running and stepping motions.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1 shows a conventional stationary exercise device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,829. The conventional stationary exercise device includes a frame 11, two foot links 12, two coupling members 13, and two guide members in the form of tracks 14. The frame 11 has a pivot axis defined by a shaft 16 which is supported by the frame 11, and a flywheel 15 supported by the shaft 16 for rotation about the pivot axis. Each coupling member 13 has one end connected pivotally to the shaft 16, and an opposite end connected pivotally to a first end of the corresponding foot link 12. A second end of each foot link 12 is provided with a roller unit 17 which is operable to slide along a respective one of the tracks 14. When the flywheel 15 is rotated, the coupling members 13 bring the first end of each foot link 12 to travel in a circular path about the pivot axis, while the tracks 14 direct the second end of each foot link 12 in a reciprocal path.

With reference to FIG. 2, in combination with FIG. 1, when the user places his/her foot on a foot retaining pad 121 of the respective foot link 12 and starts to exercise with his/her foot moving forwardly through locations IV, III, II and I in sequence, the heel portion of the user's foot rises at a faster rate than the toe portion.

With reference to FIG. 3, when the user's foot moves rearwardly through locations I, VI, V and IV in sequence, the heel portion of the user's foot lowers at a faster rate than the toe portion.

Therefore, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,226,391, the applicant disclosed an elliptical exercise device that includes a main frame having a rotary shaft defining an axis, left and right link rods having rear ends connected to the rotary shaft for rotation about the axis, left and right arms connected respectively to front ends of the link rods for reciprocal movement, and left and right foot plates connected pivotally and respectively to the link rods and movable along elliptical paths when the rear ends of the link rods rotate. A guide mechanism is connected to the foot plates and the main frame to restrict movement of the foot plates such that each foot plate is substantially horizontal when moving upward or downward from the lowest or highest point of the corresponding elliptical path.

It is desirable to improve the aforesaid elliptical exercise device to simplify the manufacturing process thereof and provide smoother running and stepping motions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an elliptical exercising device which can permit foot supports to remain in a horizontal position during exercise and which can simulate smoother running and stepping motions.

According to this invention, the elliptical exercising device includes a support frame having forward and rearward stanchions opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction, a rotating unit mounted on and rotatable relative to the forward stanchion, first and second link rods having front ends connected to the rotating unit, and intermediate segments extending rearwards to terminate at rear ends, first and second couplers coupling the rear ends of the first and second link rods to the rearward stanchion such that each intermediate segment is moved reciprocatively in an elliptical path when the rotating unit is rotated, and left and right foot supports, each of which has a footrest and is mounted on the intermediate segment such that toe-side and heel-side ends of the footrest is tiltable relative to the intermediate segment. Left and right suspending rails are elongated in the longitudinal direction, and are respectively moved with the left and right foot supports so as to be subjected to a gradually varying urging force that is generated as a result of movement of the intermediate segment along the elliptical path. The gradually varying urging force has x-axis and y-axis force components to continuously urge the corresponding suspending rail to angularly move upwards or downwards. A tilt restraining unit has a rail engaging rider which slidably contacts the respective suspending rail such that the gradually varying urging force is transmitted through the respective suspending rail to urge the rail engaging rider to angularly move upwards or downwards, and an urging force counteracting mechanism which has a proximate end unit pivotally mounted on the support frame, and a distal end unit coupled with the rail engaging rider. During the movement of the intermediate segment along the elliptical path, the distal end unit imparts a drawing force to counteract the x-axis force component so as to keep the respective suspending rail in a horizontal position while being lifted or lowered by the y-axis force component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional stationary exercise device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,829;

FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of forward movement of a user's foot during use of the exercise device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of rearward movement of the user's foot during use of the exercise device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the preferred embodiment of an elliptical exercising device according to this invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a foot support of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rail engaging rider of the preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are fragmentary schematic views, illustrating the rail engaging rider is in different positions;

FIGS. 10 to 13 are schematic side views, illustrating the preferred embodiment in different states; and

FIG. 14 is a schematic depiction of the movement of the foot support of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the preferred embodiment of an elliptical exercising device 200 according to the present invention is shown to comprise a support frame 2, first and second link rods 3, first and second couplers 4, left and right foot supports 6, left and right suspending rails 62, left and right arms 5, and first and second tilt restraining units.

The support frame 2 has forward and rearward stanchions 21 opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction, and a base support 20 which is interposed between the forward and rearward stanchions 21 and which is adapted to be supported on a supporting surface. A rotating unit includes left and right flywheels 23 which are coaxially mounted on the forward stanchion 21 by a rotating axle 22 that extends along a first rotating axis in a first transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction.

Each of the first and second link rods 3 has a front end 31 which is connected to a respective one of the left and right flywheels 23 adjacent to a circumference thereof so as to rotate along a circular path (I) (see FIG. 10) about the first rotating axis, and an intermediate segment 33 which extends rearwards from the front end 31 to terminate at a rear end 32.

Each of the first and second couplers 4 is in the form of a link rod which has an end pivotally connected to the rear end 32 of a respective one of the first and second link rods 3, and an opposite end pivotally connected to the rearward stanchion 21 so as to permit the coupler 4 to move reciprocally in an annular path (III) (see FIG. 10). Thus, the intermediate segment 33 is moved reciprocally in an elliptical path (II) (see FIG. 14) when the respective flywheel 22 is driven to rotate about the first rotating axis.

With reference to FIG. 6, in combination with FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the left and right foot supports 6 has a footrest 61 which is elongated in the longitudinal direction to terminate at toe-side and heel-side ends, and a sidewall 63 which extends downwards from the footrest 61 and which is pivoted to the intermediate segment 33 at a fulcrum defining a tilting axis in the first transverse direction so as to permit the toe-side and heel-side ends to be tilted relative to the intermediate segment 33.

Each of the left and right suspending rails 62 is disposed opposite to the sidewall 63 of the respective foot support 6 in the first transverse direction, and extends in parallel to the footrest 61 in the longitudinal direction. Each suspending rail 62 is of an L-shape, and includes a first plate 621 secured on the footrest 61, and a second plate 622 extending in the longitudinal direction so as to be moved with the respective foot support 6.

Each of the left and right arms 5 includes a first rod segment 51 which has a fulcrum region 511 that is journalled to the forward stanchion 21 about a second rotating axis, and upper and lower rod ends 512, 513 that are disposed at two opposite sides of the fulcrum region 511, and a second rod segment 53 which has a front end that is pivotally connected to the lower rod end 513, and a rear end that is pivotally connected to the intermediate segment 33 of the respective one of the first and second link rods 3.

Each of the first and second tilt restraining units includes a rail engaging rider 72 and an urging force counteracting mechanism 7.

With reference to FIG. 7, the rail engaging rider 72 is spaced apart from the base support 20 in a second transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal and first transverse directions, and includes a major mounting wall 722 and two pairs of rollers 723 which are rotatably mounted on the major mounting wall 722 and which are spaced apart from each other to define a horizontal passage (V) in the longitudinal direction. The second plate 622 of the respective suspending rail 62 is moved slidably along the horizontal passage (V).

The urging force counteracting mechanism 7 includes a parallel linkage mechanism that has a mount 71 disposed on the base support 20, upper and lower bars 731, 732 which respectively have proximate pivoted ends pivotally connected to the mount 71 about pivoting axes parallel to the first rotating axis and serving as a proximate end unit, and which respectively have distal pivoted ends serving as the distal end unit, and a linking coupler 721 which interconnects the distal pivoted ends of the upper and lower bars 731, 732 to be pivotable about upper and lower centers respectively of the distal pivoted ends. Thus, the upper and lower bars 731, 732 can move angularly about the pivoting axes in a reciprocative arcuate path (IV), as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The linking coupler 721 is connected to the rail engaging rider 72 at a fixed point.

Referring to FIGS. 10 to 13, during exercise, the user moves the footrests 61 so that the flywheels 23 are rotated along the circular path (I) and the first and second couplers 4 are moved along the annular path (III), thereby bringing the intermediate segments 33, as well as the footrests 61, into movement along the elliptical path (II) so as to generate a gradually varying urging force. The gradually varying urging force has x-axis and y-axis force components respectively oriented in the longitudinal direction and the second transverse direction to continuously urge the respective suspending rail 62 to angularly move upwards or downwards. The gradually varying urging force is transmitted through the respective suspending rail 62 to urge the respective rail engaging rider 72 to angularly move upwards or downwards during the movement of the respective intermediate segment 33 along the elliptical path (II).

Immediately after the urging force is transmitted through the linking coupler 721 to bring the upper and lower bars 731, 732 to move angularly about the pivoting axes, the linking coupler 721 imparts a drawing force to counteract the x-axis force component of the urging force so as to keep the respective suspending rail 62 in a horizontal position while being lifted or lowered in the second transverse direction by the y-axis force component. Specifically, the drawing force is generated as a result of pivotal movement of the linking coupler 721 about the upper and lower centers of the distal ends of the upper and lower bars 731, 732, while the fixed point remains unmoved relative to the upper and lower centers, thereby counteracting the x-axis force component. Therefore, the footrests 61 can remain in a substantially horizontal position during their entire movement along the elliptical path. Hence, the heel portion and the toe portion of the user's foot can be maintained in the horizontal position during exercise. By virtue of the counteraction between the urging force and the drawing force in the longitudinal direction, the intermediate segments 33 can be moved smoothly in the elliptical path without any interference.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements. 

1. An elliptical exercising device comprising: a support frame adapted to be supported on a supporting surface and having forward and rearward stanchions opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction; a rotating unit mounted on and rotatable relative to said forward stanchion about a first rotating axis in a first transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction; first and second link rods, each having a front end which is connected to said rotating unit and which is offset from the first rotating axis so as to be rotated with said rotating unit about the first rotating axis, and an intermediate segment which extends rearwards from said front end to terminate at a rear end; first and second couplers, each coupling said rear end of a respective one of said first and second link rods to said rearward stanchion such that said intermediate segment is movable reciprocatively in an elliptical path when said rotating unit is driven to rotate about the first rotating axis; left and right foot supports, each of which has a footrest that is elongated in the longitudinal direction to terminate at toe-side and heel-side ends, and each of which is mounted on said intermediate segment and is configured to permit tilting of one of said toe-side and heel-side ends relative to said intermediate segment about a tilting axis in the first transverse direction; left and right suspending rails which are respectively elongated in the longitudinal direction, and which are movable with said left and right foot supports, respectively, so as to be subjected to a gradually varying urging force that is generated as a result of movement of said intermediate segment along the elliptical path, the gradually varying urging force having x-axis and y-axis force components respectively oriented in the longitudinal direction and a second transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal and first transverse directions to continuously urge a corresponding one of said left and right suspending rails to angularly move upwards or downwards; and first and second tilt restraining units, each having a rail engaging rider which slidably contacts a respective one of said left and right suspending rails such that the gradually varying urging force is transmitted through the respective one of said left and right suspending rails to urge said rail engaging rider to angularly move upwards or downwards during the movement of said intermediate segment along the elliptical path, and an urging force counteracting mechanism which has a proximate end unit pivotally mounted on said support frame, and a distal end unit coupled with said rail engaging rider such that, during the movement of said intermediate segment along the elliptical path, said distal end unit imparts a drawing force to counteract the x-axis force component so as to keep the respective one of said left and right suspending rails in a horizontal position while being lifted or lowered in the second transverse direction by the y-axis force component.
 2. The elliptical exercising device according to claim 1, wherein said support frame includes a base support which is interposed between said forward and rearward stanchions, which is adapted to be supported on the supporting surface, and which is spaced apart from said rail engaging rider in the second transverse direction, said urging force counteracting mechanism including a parallel linkage mechanism that has a mount which is disposed on said base support, upper and lower bars which respectively have proximate pivoted ends pivotally connected to said mount about pivoting axes parallel to the first rotating axis and serving as said proximate end unit, and which respectively have distal pivoted ends serving as said distal end unit and respectively having upper and lower centers, and a linking coupler which interconnects said distal pivoted ends of said upper and lower bars so as to be pivotable about said upper and lower centers of said distal pivoted ends, said linking coupler being connected to said rail engaging rider at a fixed point which is positioned such that, immediately after the urging force is transmitted through said linking coupler to bring said upper and lower bars to move angularly about the pivoting axes, the drawing force is generated as a result of pivotal movement of said linking coupler about said upper and lower centers, while the fixed point is kept unmoved relative to said upper and lower centers, thereby counteracting the x-axis force component.
 3. The elliptical exercising device according to claim 2, wherein said rail engaging rider includes a major mounting wall and two pairs of rollers which are rotatably mounted on said major mounting wall and which are spaced apart from each other to define a horizontal passage in the longitudinal direction, the respective one of said left and right suspending rails being slidably moved along said horizontal passage to be kept in slidable contact with said rail engaging rider in a horizontal position.
 4. The elliptical exercising device according to claim 3, wherein each of said left and right foot supports has a sidewall which extends from said footrest downwards and which is pivoted at said intermediate segment at a fulcrum defining said tilting axis, so as to permit tilting of said one of said toe-side and heel-side ends.
 5. The elliptical exercising device according to claim 4, wherein each of said left and right suspending rails is disposed opposite to said sidewall in the first transverse direction, and extends in parallel to said footrest in the longitudinal direction.
 6. The elliptical exercising device according to claim 1, wherein said rotating unit has left and right flywheels which are coaxially mounted on said forward stanchion about the first rotating axis such that said front ends of said first and second link rods are connected respectively to said left and right flywheels adjacent to circumferences thereof so as to be rotatable along a circular path about the first rotating axis.
 7. The elliptical exercising device according to claim 1, further comprising left and right arms, each including a first rod segment which has a fulcrum region that is journalled to said forward stanchion about a second rotating axis, and upper and lower rod ends that are disposed at two opposite sides of said fulcrum region, and a second rod segment which has a front end that is pivotally connected to said lower rod end, and a rear end that is pivotally connected to said intermediate segment of a respective one of said first and second link rods.
 8. The elliptical exercising device according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second couplers is in form of a link rod, which has an end pivotally connected to said rear end of a respective one of said first and second link rods, and an opposite end pivotally connected to said rearward stanchion. 